Purpose: The purpose of the Rudd Master Database (RMD) is to provide a means of documenting the various branches of the Rudd family tree and related families. Genealogist typically explore vital aspects of these trees, accepting portions of the data to be unquestionably correct, without testing the data for accuracy or giving an ear to contrapositions. Sometimes, data exists for years containing important errors. However, there is no medium to assert universal acceptance or provide a valid forum for a discordant view. The RMD is intended to eliminate those short comings. Through the RMD, each branch will be attached to the master trunk for all to see and use, subject always to the approval of living members of the branch.

Background: The Rudd family is descended from an ancient family in England, probably extensions of the Viking conquest in the eastern countryside or through the natural migration of Danish peoples through Ireland. "Rudd, Rud, Rhudd, Ruud, Read, Rude and Reed" are variations of the name brought to the English vocabulary from the Danish word for red or ruddy.

History reveals the Vikings invaded the eastern territories of England and Scotland and established a dynamic society there around 1000 AD. The society was called the "Danelaw". Over time, the Vikings and the indigenous Anglo-Saxon intermarried and combined, producing a richer and more diverse gene pool for their descendants.

Meanwhile, in Ireland, it is recorded that a Rudd was the Lord of Meath. Legend says that the title was conveyed by the king of Ireland on a Danish warrior who assisted in the protection of the Irish realm against the English or Welsh invaders. Along with the title, the king's daughter was given in marriage and the Lordship of Meath was created. Those Rudds are known to have migrated into Wales and Yorkshire from the Irish connection. Whether all Rudds are descended from the Irish group or from the Viking invaders has not been determined. Perhaps, the family descended from both. The ultimate role of genealogy is to seek the true answers to such questions.

Each generation has been blessed with the incursion of new genes from other families. Those families, too, were part of an equally important extension of other equally important family lines. While they have been called "related families," they are significant elements in the expanding community of Rudds and bear equal credit for its success. We are, after all, related to each other in the chapters of human development.

The RMD is the outgrowth of an effort started in late 1995 and early 1996 by Gene Mathis of Lubbock, Texas, and Gene Rudd of Inverness, Florida. Both share a Great-great-grandfather and Great-great-grandmother in Wesley Rudd and Lucricia Williamson, who lived in the Claybank of northeastern Dale County, Alabama, in the early 1800s, arriving in the country around Rocky Head as the indigenous Creek nation was dislocated to Oklahoma.

The research enabling the RMD has been, and will be, the product of great efforts by many participants. They all deserve and should be given a resounding applause by any who would use the resources.

Definitions: The following terms have specific meaning in the context of the RMD.

Master Trunk

That part of the Family Tree upon which other branches are attached. A master trunk identifies a specific homogeneous family group that has not been shown to be connected linearly with other master trunks. For example, the master trunk of John Rudd, of Henrico County, Virginia, seems to be separate and distinct from the master trunks of the Connecticut Rudds or that of Burlingham Rudd, of Anson County, North Carolina.

Main Branch

That part of the master trunk that clearly defines a major element of the tree. In order to be defined as a Main Branch, the element must be homogeneously defined through at least five generations and be attached to the master trunk in a clearly defined legacy.

Minor Branch

A part of the master trunk or main branch with a limited extension of less than five generations.

Related Family

A familial connection to the Rudd family by the marriage of a Rudd family member to the member of another family or out of wedlock unions that result in children who share the gene pools of both families and bear the Rudd surname or the surname of the related family.

Rudd Family Member

Anyone who can demonstrate a direct connection to the Rudd Family through direct descent from a master trunk regardless of the person's surname.

Direct Descendant

One who can demonstrate a defined familial connection along a branch, main or minor, within the family tree.

RMD Moderator

A person, or group of persons, who has accepted the responsibility for accumulating and cataloging the data that defines the RMD. The moderator, is a volunteer whose service to the users of the database deserves the highest appreciation.

Master Database Content: It is the goal of the founders of the RMD to document the TRUE lineage of all Rudd Family Members. In order to achieve that goal, many genealogist, amateur and professional, have expended unmeasurable hours in "peeling away the layers of the onion" in the quest for truth. Those hours must not have been wasted and the information derived from the research must be documented for the future generations. The RMD may be an important means of documenting and sharing what we know about each other. However, the RMD must be created using care to assure that the data in as accurate as possible. The following rules for inclusion of data into the RMD is deemed to provide the best set of checks and balances to effect that careful approach.

Rule (1)

The RMD moderator will define the several master trunks, main branches and minor branches. These will be published in the On-Line database to allow a common understanding of the degree of RMD development. Each element will be identified by the name of the patriarch of that element. Any person, regardless of familial relationships or connections, may propose a master trunk, main branch or minor branch. The moderator will assess the proposal and determine whether the proposed content is valid. He must enlist the agreement of any affected direct descendant, if possible, prior to inclusion of proposed changes, and should make a global appeal for support and agreement for significant changes.

Rule (2)

Each Rudd Family Member is OBLIGATED, as a matter of family honor, to help in the development of the RMD as accurately as possible. When some input or data entry seems to be in error, each member is expected to help resolve that error. Identifying errors and correcting them shall not be cause for adverse hostility towards any member. Finding the TRUTH is paramount over personal feelings in every respect.

Rule (3)

Any data entry shall be subject to absolute veto by any direct descendant. Direct descendants also have an obligation to define, as completely and as accurately as possible, that part of the tree that represents his legacy and his descendants. He shall also establish a working relationship with other direct descendants of their mutual part of the tree to assist the moderator in resolving differences of opinion and establishing agreement. When the moderator has received agreement as to data content, all members shall accept the data as accurate and true. Only direct descendants are permitted to revise the agreed to data, subject to the provisions herein.

Conditional Database Positions: The moderator of the RMD will establish means for inclusion of personal comments by direct descendants in order to provide a means of conditional acceptance of data relating to pedigrees where several direct descendants are not in complete agreement as to content. When a direct descendant cannot completely agree with another direct descendant on some element in the data, but does not wish to exercise his veto excluding some particular branch, he may, even reluctantly, accept the data conditionally and enter a statement of his concerns for users of the data. When the data is included under such conditions all members are obligated to assist in resolution of the conflicting issues in a constructive manner. The search for TRUTH shall be paramount to all other personal opinions.

Database Development Register: The RMD moderator shall maintain a list of contributors to the database. This list shall be provided to members to assist members in assessing the value of included data. Communications between members shall be encouraged as an avenue for resolution of issues.

Costs and Limitations: There shall not be any levy or charges against contributors or users of the database except under extreme conditions. The moderator shall serve without compensation. Should the moderator experience unbearable financial burdens, he may solicit assistance or relinquish his duties to another. If he is unable to find relief through such actions, he may discontinue the database after fair notice is given to others.

The moderator shall make the database available through the online facilities. Notices to potential users shall explain the following limitations:

• The data contained in the database has been voluntarily submitted for non-commercial use by anyone; however, the data is protected under copyright provisions against unlawful exploitation. No one may use the data, wholly or in part, for commercial purposes without the express permission of the contributor of the data, heirs, or assigns. Those wishing to publish data from the RMD, should refer their wishes to the moderator so that appropriate contributors may be interfaced.

• The developers of the RMD have taken extraordinary precautions to assure the accuracy of the data; however, no one shall be liable for any inaccuracy, or injury incurred by anyone, as the result of the data being disclosed, or used, in any fashion or manner.